Tips for teaching someone to drive

If you’re planning on sharing your driving skills or supervising a learner, take note of some valuable tips for teaching someone learning to drive. It can be a son, daughter or friend who is interested in operating a motor vehicle. Although it may seem a daunting and frightening task, using your personal driving experiences will help in imparting vital skills to your student.

Practical hints

A majority of tips for teaching someone how to drive will be based on your own driving knowledge and experiences.

Get to know the car

Before getting on the road, a short rundown of the car your student will be using is essential. It is vital to know where the lights are, turn signal switch, meaning of dashboard symbols, wipers and the like. Teach why adjusting mirrors properly (for blind spots), checking tyre pressure and oil levels are as important as buckling up.

Go over signage symbols

Knowing signage symbols and their significance is vital. Important signs should be emphasised such as speed limits, when to yield or where you have right of way. Get a handbook on road safety where the list of traffic signage is enumerated.

Review basic road courtesy and traffic rules

Remember to encourage defensive driving watching out for careless motorists who suddenly cut corners, shift lanes without turn signals, or annoying tailgaters. Make sure there is an adequate distance in between cars. As a rule, during normal conditions and in proportion to speed, a space equivalent to one car should be sufficient for braking and two cars during adverse or inclement conditions.

Practise in an area where there is no or less traffic

A good area for practice driving is an empty parking lot or in the countryside. Driving and parking are also two different things. Often, drivers have more mishaps while parking or backing up. Make sure to practise lots of times how to park uphill, downhill, parallel and inserting in traffic.

Get rid of distractions

While learning to drive, turn off the radio, cellphones, and anything that could distract driving. Discourage eating and drinking as they are not only distracting but also messy and most of all, dangerous.

Introduce distractions

Bring in distractions now that your student has some practice. Check how well concentration and focus on the road continue when the radio or a conversation is on.

Finally

Don’t yell while teaching even if you just want to throw the towel in and call it quits. To be effective in executing tips for teaching how to drive, remind yourself you were once a learner and in the same position. Don’’t forget to practise what you preach. Be a role model for your student who is just learning the ins and outs of driving.